What Is a Tooth Extraction?
A tooth extraction is a dental procedure that involves the complete removal of a tooth from its socket in the jawbone. When restorative treatments such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings cannot save a damaged tooth, extraction becomes the necessary solution to protect your oral health.
At New Smile Dental, Dr. Michael Dounel performs both simple and surgical tooth extractions, including wisdom teeth removal. Our team prioritizes patient comfort using powerful anesthetics and sedation options to ensure a virtually pain-free extraction experience.
When Is Tooth Extraction Necessary?
While we always prioritize saving natural teeth, extraction becomes the best option when a tooth is too damaged, decayed, or infected to restore. When procedures such as root canal therapy, crowns, or fillings are not enough to save a tooth, it may need to be pulled.
Severe Tooth Decay
When decay has destroyed too much tooth structure to support a restoration, extraction prevents the spread of infection to surrounding teeth.
Advanced Gum Disease
Periodontal disease can weaken the bone and tissue supporting teeth, causing loosening that may require extraction.
Dental Trauma
Teeth severely cracked, fractured, or broken from injury may be beyond repair and require extraction.
Overcrowding
Extraction may be necessary to create space for orthodontic treatment or to address severe crowding issues.
Modern Extraction Procedures
Tooth extraction procedures today are far less painful than ever before, thanks to powerful anesthetics and sedatives. In many cases, a patient who has a tooth pulled experiences little or no discomfort, and only minor bleeding. Before a tooth is extracted, the area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical and/or injectable anesthetic such as Novocaine.
What Types of Tooth Extractions Are There?
There are two main types of tooth extractions performed at New Smile Dental. The type recommended depends on the tooth's condition, position, and accessibility.
Simple Extraction
Performed on teeth visible above the gum line. After numbing the area, Dr. Dounel loosens the tooth with an instrument called an elevator, then removes it with dental forceps. Simple extractions typically require only local anesthesia and have a quick recovery time.
Surgical Extraction
Required for teeth that have broken off at the gum line or haven't fully erupted (like impacted wisdom teeth). This procedure involves making a small incision in the gum to access the tooth, and sometimes removing bone or sectioning the tooth for easier removal. Sedation options are available for patient comfort.
Why Do Wisdom Teeth Need Extraction?
Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of molars that erupt in the back corners of the upper and lower normal adult mouth. Unfortunately, most people experience problems from wisdom teeth; in most cases, this is because the teeth erupt too close to existing permanent teeth, causing crowding, improper bites, and other problems.
Many people need to have their wisdom teeth extracted to avoid future serious problems. In general, the lack of the four wisdom teeth does not hamper one's ability to properly bite down, speak, or eat.
Crowding Issues
Wisdom teeth often emerge too close to existing teeth, pushing them out of alignment and causing crowding throughout your smile.
Impaction Risk
When wisdom teeth cannot fully emerge, they become impacted beneath the gum line, leading to pain, infection, and damage to adjacent teeth.
Bite Problems
Improperly positioned wisdom teeth can cause malocclusion (improper bite), affecting how your teeth come together when chewing.
What Are the Signs You Need a Tooth Extraction?
If wisdom teeth are causing a problem and are not pulled, they can sometimes become impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth can be extremely painful, as well as harmful to your oral health. Symptoms are easy to spot: severe discomfort, inflammation, and some kinds of infections.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may need a tooth extraction and should seek immediate evaluation:
Emergency Tooth Pain? New Smile Dental offers 24/7 emergency dental care at our Inglewood location. Call (310) 674-5555 for immediate relief and same-day extractions.
What Happens During a Tooth Extraction?
Understanding the extraction process can help ease anxiety about the procedure. Here's what you can expect when having a tooth extracted at New Smile Dental:
Examination & X-Rays: Dr. Dounel examines the tooth and takes X-rays to assess the root structure, bone condition, and determine the best extraction approach.
Anesthesia: The area surrounding the tooth is numbed with a topical and/or injectable anesthetic such as Novocaine. Sedation options are available for anxious patients or complex extractions.
Loosening the Tooth: Using a specialized instrument called an elevator, the tooth is gently loosened from the ligaments and bone holding it in place.
Tooth Removal: Once loosened, dental forceps are used to carefully remove the tooth. You may feel pressure but should not feel pain during this step.
Socket Care: The extraction site is cleaned, and gauze is placed to control bleeding. Stitches may be placed if needed, and you'll receive detailed aftercare instructions.
What Should You Do After a Tooth Extraction?
Proper care following tooth extraction will hasten recovery and prevent complications. Patients with extracted teeth sometimes need to take an antibiotic, and at the very least, take precautions following the procedure to ensure that infection doesn't occur.
Post-Extraction Care Instructions
Bleeding: Following extractions some bleeding is to be expected. If persistent bleeding occurs, place gauze pads over bleeding area and bite down firmly for one-half hour. Repeat if necessary. Biting on a wet Lipton tea bag for a few minutes is also effective.
Swelling: Ice bag or chopped ice wrapped in a towel should be applied to operated area—one-half hour on and one-half hour off for 4-5 hours.
Pain: For mild to average pain use any medication you would normally take for a headache or other pain. If a prescription for medication has been given to you, fill it at the pharmacy and start taking immediately. Remember to always take antibiotics until completion—all antibiotic pills must be taken as directed until the bottle is empty.
Food: Light diet is advisable during the first 24 hours. Stay away from spicy foods or acidic foods.
Bony Edges: Small sharp bone fragments may work up through the gums during healing. These are not roots; if annoying return to this office for their simple removal.
Activities to Avoid After Extraction
Smoking, vigorous brushing and rinsing, and drinking liquids through straws are discouraged during the post-operative period because they hinder healing and may cause the wound to open. Cold compresses applied to the outside cheek near the extraction area can help reduce any swelling and promote faster healing.
Why Choose New Smile Dental for Tooth Extractions?
New Smile Dental offers expert tooth extraction services at three convenient Los Angeles locations. Dr. Michael Dounel, who earned his DMD from Boston University after completing his biology degree at UCLA, brings extensive training in simple and surgical extractions.
Our practice serves patients throughout the greater Los Angeles area, including Inglewood, West LA, Beverly Hills, and surrounding communities. Our Inglewood location offers 24/7 emergency dental care for urgent extraction needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Extractions
Areas We Serve for Tooth Extractions
We proudly provide tooth extraction services including simple extractions, surgical extractions, and wisdom teeth removal throughout the greater Los Angeles area:
Need a Tooth Extracted?
Schedule your consultation with Dr. Michael Dounel for expert, comfortable tooth extraction care. Emergency extractions available 24/7 at our Inglewood location.
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